Recipes & Reflections: 2019

Taking a look back at Living Lou in 2019, my most popular recipes and a personal recap.

The end of 2019 was a total whirlwind which meant that I didn’t get a chance to really sit down, slow down and reflect in the way I typically do (this is the ninth year of my reflections posts, see 2011-2018 here). But all of the exciting things that happened at the end of 2019 that are setting up 2020 to be an exciting year. And new decade, no less.

Overall, 2019 was a good year. It’s easy to look back on things with rose-coloured glasses once every loose end has been tied up with a nice big, sparkly bow (which is exactly how 2019 ended!). But the truth is, there were challenges and there was a lot of uncertainty. I’ve never been someone who is great with unknowns; I’m a planner.

The biggest moments that closed out the year? I got a new job that I’m super excited about, and we’ve rented a new house and are moving at the beginning of February! Talk about some capital B-Big life things happening.

We’ll still be in Toronto, but we’ll be in a different neighbourhood that I’m super excited to explore. AND there is a nice, big kitchen! Follow along on Instagram and I’ll give you a tour.

My fresh, summer-inspired avocado and corn salad was another popular recipe. Loaded with fresh basil and local corn, this is a recipe to bookmark for summer 2020. Get the avocado corn salad recipe here.

I’m a true believer that everything happens for a reason and that things (eventually) work out the way they are supposed to. In 2019, I feel like I got a bit of a crash course in dealing with not-so-pleasant people, with not-so-great intentions. But these situations reinforced how important qualities like integrity and kindness are to me.

You know that saying, “you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with” well whether that’s true or not, I can definitely say who I don’t want around me.

Roasting chicken after a long marinate in buttermilk isn’t anything revolutionary, but it is without a doubt the best way to make a tender and juicy roast chicken. Grab my go-to roast chicken recipe here.

2020 marks ten years of blogging for me. I truly can’t believe it. I am so incredibly proud of what I’ve built. It’s not something that I talk about often, but I do feel like it’s so easy to minimize the work and time and effort that goes into building a blog and a successful website and small business.

Thanks for joining me on this crazy ride. In 2019, and for the last (almost) ten years.